Adverse reactions associated with vaccines are poorly documented in Brazil. The aim of this article was to identify the incidence of adverse effects to the influenza vaccine in the elderly of Campinas district, SP. A questionnaire was applied to a random systematic sample of people over 60 years of age (n = 206), participating in the Brazilian Vaccination Campaign during 2000. Temporal link was taken into account for general and local symptoms after vaccine. One or more symptoms were reported by 20.48% (CI 14.87-25.88) and local pain was the most frequent complaint 12.62% (CI 8.09 -17.15). A multi-regression logistic model was adjusted, considering any adverse effects after exposure as the dependent variable. The independent variable associated with adverse effects was female gender (OR = 5.89 and CI 2.08-16.68). This study reaffirms the low reactogenicity of influenza vaccine.